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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-08-2014 07:13 PM

Harry and Lola

Harry is an EPI boy, so I worry about him too.

I definitely agree that some dogs are just prone to developing bloat regardless of the precautions you take, and that stress plays a role here.

But I do think that dogs that are not prone to it, you can help help them not develop it by following a few rules, in take of water and food before and after feeding being one of them.

I'd cry like a baby too!!! You're so very fortunate that you were able to act in time to save him. I hope none of us ever have to go through that, but it's something that we can never be too careful about, that's for sure.

yes, someone was watching over us, I have had GSD`s all my life, but not like this one, he is special

yup, thats it, even though Max is stapled all over, I still worry about it,

03-07-2014 02:12 PM

BowWowMeow

The only common denominator in bloat cases is stress. Stress can derive from a lot of things. I have had two dogs bloat and both were older. Both survived (no torsion) without medical intervention.

The old treatment for bloat was to keep an animal moving so that the gas could move out of their system. This is what I did when Chama bloated (along with getting her x-rayed to be sure there was no torsion and giving her Gas X and activated charcoal).

I do often walk Rafi right before he eats and sometimes right after. We don't go out and run and jump but we do walk at a good pace.

03-07-2014 02:08 PM

Blanketback

I'd cry like a baby too!!! You're so very fortunate that you were able to act in time to save him. I hope none of us ever have to go through that, but it's something that we can never be too careful about, that's for sure.

I've taught my pup to rest before and after meals, and I wait 2 hrs. too. I've also read that this doesn't really play much of a factor, but I still do it.

Ken, I'm so glad you didn't lose Max to this! Did he ever give any signs that he was prone to bloat?

no prior warning, just woke up, started throwing up the white foam, then wanted to go outside, I could see he was uncomfortable, run my hands down his side, left side extended ever so slightly, had him to the vets within 20 minutes from the time he woke up

they called later that night, said if i waited another half an hour they would have not been able to save him, his colon had flipped and blood flow was cut off, I had him there in plenty of time for the bloat, almost didnt on the colon, they have a medical term for it, but cant remember it right now, common in EPI dogs

the surgeon said in the 12 years shes been doing the surgery, first time shes been able to save one, said it`s almost 100% fatal, bloat is a matter of time, again if you suspect it dont wait

03-07-2014 12:38 PM

middleofnowhere

Can't site the study off the top of my head, but it is out there. If we knew what would prevent bloat, most of us would do it and we wouldn't have bloat. There is little definite - one thing - dogs with narrow deep chests are more prone to bloat. Large dogs, small dogs -- doesn't matter. narrow deep chests more inclined to bloat.

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